TangiTek, LLC Awarded Competitive Grant from the National Science Foundation

Small Business Innovation Research Program Provides Seed Funding for R&D

TangiTek, LLC has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant for $224K to conduct research and development (R&D) work on Novel Three Dimensional Flocked Carbon Fiber Microwave Absorbers.

The project goal and broader impacts of this technology are development of lightweight, thin, high performance, EMI/RF microwave absorber materials that provide increased energy efficiency, design flexibility, reduced costs and improved connectivity for a wide range of markets, applications, products and devices. The product is suitable for many market sectors including automotive, consumer electronics, telecom and aerospace where thin, lightweight and wide-spectrum response is needed.

“The National Science Foundation supports small businesses with the most innovative, cutting-edge ideas that have the potential to become great commercial successes and make huge societal impacts,” said Barry Johnson, Director of the NSF’s Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships. “We hope that this seed funding will spark solutions to some of the most important challenges of our time across all areas of science and technology.”

"We are honored and delighted to receive this seed funding from NSF to continue the development and bring to market this new material to improve the performance of electronic devices and improve energy efficiency. We look forward to working with Professor Branimir Pejcinovic and students at the Portland State University Electromagnetics Lab to characterize and model this novel carbon fiber composite absorber. We recognize and thank Mr. Mark Brady at the Oregon Business Development Department for support in proposal preparation. We are now focused on addressing the technical challenges of successfully scaling and commercializing our innovation”, said Robert L. Doneker, Manager of TangiTek.

Once a small business is awarded a Phase I SBIR/STTR grant (up to $225,000), it becomes eligible to apply for a Phase II grant (up to $750,000). Small businesses with Phase II grants are eligible to receive up to $500,000 in additional matching funds with qualifying third-party investment or sales.

NSF accepts Phase I proposals from small businesses twice annually in June and December. Small businesses with innovative science and technology solutions, and commercial potential are encouraged to apply. All proposals submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program undergo a rigorous merit-based review process.